Welcome to Saxony-Anhalt

Company Profile

The Investment and Marketing Corporation Saxony-Anhalt (IMG) is the location and marketing agency of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt.

IMG personnel provide all services pertaining to the location in the state – from acquisition to start of production. IMG also markets the business and science location outwardly and is responsible for Saxony-Anhalt’s national and international tourism marketing.

Tourism marketingIMG is responsible for creatig a positive image of the travel destination Saxony-Anhalt. Based on results of market research, IMG develops strategic marketing concepts an pursues the further profiling of Saxony-Anhalt as a destination with a highly qualified offer of cultural attractions.

Saxony-Anhalt offers a variety of themes which can be individually combined according to the current requirements of the guest with such features as medieval architecture along the “Romanesque Road”, idyllic “Garden Dreams” parks, sensational archaeological discoveries on the “Sky Paths” as well as active and nature experiences, but also the multiplier themes UNESCO and Martin Luther.

Brands / Products / Services

Saxony-Anhalt – Heartland of German historyNo other place in Germany has conserved as much evidence of more than 1000 years of German and European history as the area of today’s Saxony-Anhalt. Visitors can enjoy this whilst experiencing some of the most worthwhile sights in the world.

Four UNESCO World Heritage Sites are gathered here in some of the cosiest areas – the half-timbered town of Quedlinburg, Eisleben and Wittenberg (the hometowns of Martin Luther), the Bauhaus and Master’s Houses in Dessau and as well as the garden kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz.

Travel in to the middle of the age of Romanesque on the statewide Romanesque Road, which connects 80 Romanesque churches, cathedrals, castles, palaces and monasteries. The treasures of the cathedrals in Halberstadt, Quedlinburg, Naumburg and Merseburg are particular highlights as well as the Magdeburg Cathedral.

In Saxony-Anhalt, historical park enthusiasts can discover 43 parks of ‘dream gardens’ including the garden kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz. Archaeology lovers should note the ‘sky path’ route, which awaits you with the State Archaeological Museum in Halle (Saale) and the original of the Nebra sky disc, the oldest sun observatory in the world in Goseck, as well as the ‘Nebra Ark’ visitor centre.

A cultural holiday in Saxony-Anhalt goes very well with nature sites and activities, such as cycling and hiking in the Harz mountains as well as pilgrimages along St. James’ way or the ‘Luther Way’. Everywhere, friendly hosts provide good service, serve regional specialities in cosy restaurants and offer lodging at modern hotels, campsites, bed and breakfasts and youth hostels.

Cultural Highlights

UNESCO World Heritage SitesThere are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Saxony-Anhalt: the Bauhaus building and the Masters’ Houses in Dessau, the Luther memorials in Wittenberg and Eisleben, the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz and the city Quedlinburg with over half-timbered houses.

Martin Luther and the ReformationSaxony-Anhalt is the Origin of the Reformation. 2017 is the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, which began with Luther, who nailed his theses in Wittenberg at the church door. Original sites provide the setting for events of the Luther Decade "Luther 2017 - 500 Years of the Reformation," which takes annually changing themes in the focus. Highlights are the Cities Wittenberg and Eisleben.

Bauhaus and Modern1925/26 Walter Gropius build the famous Bauhaus building in Dessau and the small settlement of the Masters' Houses, were the artists such as Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and Lyonel Feininger lived and worked. Dessau became a center of modern design. The designs of the Bauhaus were pioneers of classical modernism.

Sky PathsThe original Nebra Sky Disc in the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle (Saale), the Nebra Ark Visitors’ Centre, the Goseck Sun Observatory and the Dolmen Goddess of Langeneichstädt are on the itinerary along the archaeological route "Sky Paths".

ArtInnumerable works of fine art are to be seen in the galleries and museums in Saxony-Anhalt. The State Art Museum is in Moritzburg Gallery in Halle. Historical collections, exhibits of arts and crafts and works of the classical modernism are complemented through thematic exhibitions. You will find the largest collection of old paintings in Saxony-Anhalt at the Anhalt Picture Gallery in Georgium Castle. Whoever is an enthusiast of contemporary art and sculptures should pay a visit to the “Kunstmuseum Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen” in Magdeburg.

Health, Active and Nature

Unique landscapes and a well-developed network of routes for hikers, cyclists, water sports enthusiasts and equestrians make Saxony-Anhalt a prime address for active holidaymakers and nature lovers.

Cyclists can ride through Saxony-Anhalt on 18 trans-regional bicycle trails. The Elbe Cycle Route, one of the most popular long-distance bicycle trails in Germany, is one of the family-friendly routes. Athletically ambitious mountain bikers will find a suitable tour in the Harz mountain region. The region between Dessau-Roßlau and Lutherstadt Wittenberg is recommended for recreational cyclists interested in culture. Three UNESCO-World Heritage Sites are concentrated in a very small area there: the Bauhaus building and the Masters’ Houses in Dessau, the Luther memorials in Wittenberg and the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz.

Particularly hiking fans get their money’s worth in the Harz region where they will find a dense network of hiking trails - among them the 94 kilometre long “Harzer-Hexen-Stieg” (Harz Witches’ Trail) and the “Selketal-Stieg” (Selke Valley Trail). Pilgrims are welcome in Saxony-Anhalt on the St. James Pilgrimage Trail as well as on the Luther Trail between the Luther cities Eisleben, Mansfeld and Wittenberg. The near-natural courses of the Elbe, Saale, Unstrut and Havel rivers are areas for those who like to hike along water.

The Altmark region in Northern Saxony-Anhalt is an ideal destination for those who love horses. The state’s nature reserves such as the Harz National Park or the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve should be noted for nature observations.

Riding and equestrian vacation

The greatest happiness on earth … is also in Saxony-Anhalt sitiing in the saddle of a horse, particularly in the Altmark. Numerous riding stables and riding clubs offer short trips and extended tours. Experienced or inexperienced horseriders can enjoy the view of pristine countryside, meadows and floodplain landscapes while on horseback during an idyllic shore leave or an excursion.

The Fläming Nature Park invites visitors to enjoy rides and wagon trips. Horse lovers in the moor and heather areas meet on riding trails, small lanes and along the Elbe. Or do you prefer something more rasant? A faster gait is guaranteed on race days at the race tracks in Magdeburg and Halle (Saale).

Pilgrimage

New horizons – the Way of St. James pilgrimage route

Nowadays pilgrims can also encounter the pilgrimage song “Ultreia!” encouraging pilgrims “to go forward and onward to Santiago de Compostela!” in Saxony-Anhalt along the more than 370 km long trail. The trail leads to the grave of the apostle St. James and is one of the most important pilgrimage routes in Europe.

On the spiritual trail – the Luther Path

Pilgrims can travel in the footsteps of the great Reformer Martin Luther along the Luther Path. The 410 kilometer long trail leads hikers to the most important places of Luther`s life and work. Today Protestant as well as Catholic communities open up numerous churches and abbeys, cathedrals and chapels – stations of the “Romanesque Road” – and invite visitors to calmness, consciousness and prayers.

MICE

Saxony-Anhalt provides excellently furnished conference facilities and hotels for meetings and conferences as well as the suitable atmosphere for creative ideas. The state also provides a variety of offers for art and culture, lively cities and considerable leeway for allowing one’s thoughts to wander while enjoying the view of broad landscapes and historic gardens.

Invite your conference guests to a discovery tour through time. Visitors await a thousand years of history ranging from medieval churches, monasteries and castles to modern era cathedrals which are preserved in the state’s numerous monuments. Or surprise your guests and customers with unusual locations, exciting incentives and impressive events.

Discover the magical world of the Harz Mountains. The Harz TagungsPool organisation bundles the know-how from hotel partners, special locations, conference and seminar establishments, spa guest centres, local tourism organisations and specialists for outdoor training and events.

Group Offers

National Exhibition "Cranach the Younger 2015" (26th of June - 1st of November, 2015)With the National Exhibition "Cranach the Younger 2015" the country of origin of the Reformation celebrates the 500th anniversary of Lucas Cranach the Younger. It is the world's first exhibition dedicated to the life and work of the artist. The great exposure presents the most important an valuable works of art of the German Renaissance at original locations in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Dessau and Wörlitz.

The "BUGA 2015 - Havelregion"Covers 70 kilometers from Cathedrals in the cities of Brandenburg and the city of Havelberg with the intermediate stations Premnitz, Rathenow and Amt Rhinow. The BUGA-Show tickets will be valid for six months to give the visitors the time, all stations relaxed and enjoyable to visit. In addition to the "allotment gardens" and "Cemetery Garden" shows Havel berg their "own" attractions a open private garden with a large orchard and a garden with tree peonies and illustrated ideas for using this plant, which came from China to Europe in the 16th century.

Barrier-free Travel

Accessible TourismGuests with physical and mental impairments can go on a journey of discovery in many Saxony-Anhalt cities without barriers. A “Best of World Culture between Harz and Elbe” brochure presents day trips in Dessau-Roßlau, Halberstadt, Halle (Saale), Wittenberg, Magdeburg, Naumburg (Saale), Quedlinburg and Wernigerode. Among other things, the day trips include a support program with visits to attractions and lunch in a barrier-free restaurant. If required, overnight stays in barrier-free accommodations and special tours can also be booked.

For instance, guests can stroll in the footsteps of the reformer Martin Luther in the Luther city Wittenberg (UNESCO World Heritage Site). A visit to the cathedral-city Naumburg and the Naumburg master’s famous benefactor figure Uta is a must!

The fascinating landscaped garden of Wörlitz Park in the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is also advisable for people with a mobility handicap. A detailed color-coded site plan of the facilities provides information about suitable routes and levels of difficulty. The different levels of difficulty on the park’s trails are marked in green, yellow and red in the style of traffic lights. It provides information about surface conditions, practicality of trails and informs about obstacles and barriers. Your guests will have eventful moments in the heartland of German history.

FIT

Exploring LutherCountry by carThe main Luther towns, cities and villages are close to each other and easy to get to. There is plenty to see and to do! Following Martin Luther’s footsteps you will also get in touch with other themes such as history, art, architecture and music.

You can explore Saxony-Anhalt’s vibrant Luther connections in four days. The trip is about 150 miles / 230 km.

Day 1: Mansfeld Lutherstadt > Lutherstadt Eisleben:Parental Home > Houses where Martin Luther was born and died, Market square with Luther Memorial and Church of St. Andrew, Church of St. Peter and Paul

Social Commitment / Green Travel

Dealing carefully with resources as well as with nature and the environment is important in Saxony-Anhalt. The 1st climate-neutral hotel in Middle Germany is a pioneer in terms of ecology-minded travel:

Naturresort SchindelbruchAs the 1st carbon-neutral hotel in Middle Germany registered with EMAS (EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme), the "Naturresort Schindelbruch" hotel is one of the top addresses for wellness, fine dining, “green meetings” and of course for those who are interested in environmental protection, too. The topic of sustainability was incorporated into the hotel with the reconstruction in 2008. Among other things, an in-house water treatment system and a new pellet heating plant were installed. The hotel introduced the EMAS environmental management system, reorganized the waste management, converted to 100% green electricity and minimized the packaging volume. The pool is heated with the waste heat from cold stores via a heat exchanger and secures a portion of electricity requirement in a photovoltaic plant.

The hotel operation has been completely carbon-neutral since mid-2009. In addition to environmental protection, the hotel philosophy – “Discover – Enjoy – Preserve” – also entails the rediscovery of nature. Natural experiences, forest hikes and regional products as well as the “Veggie Day” contribute to this philosophy.

Price Conditions

Saxony-Anhalt has got a lot to offer for everyone! Visitors can look forward to a rich history, historical sites and beautiful landscapes. It is the heartland of German history and thereby provides a vast number of travel ideas as well as new travel occasions every year.

We will gladly support you with:

Information material

Travel advice

Tour proposals / travel programme proposals

Complete travel planning / compilation of travel packages

Theme trips

We are gladly at your disposal for your individual advice:

+49 391 562 838 20

Miscellaneous

Saxony-Anhalt is located in the heart of Germany and borders on Lower Saxony, Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg. From the state capital Magdeburg it is 150km to Berlin, 280km to Hamburg, 420km to Frankfurt/Main and 225km to Frankfurt/Oder. Four motorways (A2, A9, A14 and A38), well-developed federal highways and one of the densest railway traffic networks in Europe as well as an efficient local traffic system in Saxony-Anhalt provide short and, convenient means of transport to all places of interest.

Arrival by aircraftDestination airports: Distance to Magdeburg (central in Saxony-Anhalt):

Mobile in Saxony-Anhalt:Travel conveniently by train with the attractive range of rates from DB Regio AG

“Hopper Ticket Saxony-Anhalt” – from 7,50 EUR per person: valid for one day; Monday to Friday from 9 am, all day on weekends; valid in local trains (2nd class) in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia; 50km round trip.

“Sachsen-Anhalt Ticket” – from 22 EUR: up to 4 fellow travellers pay 4 EUR per person; valid from Monday to Friday from 9 am, all day on weekends; valid in the local trains in Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony and Thuringia.